PRISONERS SENTENCED.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 36, 10 February 1917, Page 6

PRISONERS SENTENCED.

A liENGTHY LIST. TERMS OF IMPRISONMENT. Sentence was passed on a number of prisoners by his Honor Mr. Justice Hosking at the Supreme Court this morning. THREE MONTHS. Herbert Pyke, of Whangarei, who was found guilty of common theft earlier in the week, received a sentence of three months' hard labour, his Honor remarking in reply to Mr. Allan Moody, who appeared for the prisoner that he would take into consideration the fact that thi3 was the Srst offence during the past five years, during which period prisoner had apparently 'been endeavouring to live an honest life, and that he ihad been Sn custody for two months {awaiting trial.

FORGING AND UTTERING.

Hoani Peni, a Maori, who was represented by Mr. J. R. Reed, came up for sentence on a charge of forgery and uttering at Whakatanc The Probation Officer (Mr. Jeffreys) stated that the saddest feature about these cases was the fact that so many of the troubles of these natives were occasioned through drink. He recommended that prisoner be admitted to probation. His Honor agreed to this course, and admitted prisoner to probation for three years on Condition that he enter into satisfactory employment, prisoner also to be prohibited from entering hotels and billiard .saloons, and from frequenting racecourses.

TWO MAORIS.

Turu Whenua, a young Maori, on a charge of theft from a dwelling at Waipiro Bay, in the Whakatane district, was admitted to probation for a period of three years, and prohibited from entering hotels and billiard saloons, and from frequenting racecourses. Arameta Taropa, another Maori, who appeared on a charge of theft and forging and uttering, made a lengthy appeal i-n the Court for lenient treatment, urging in extenuation that he had been drinking. He was ordered to come up 1 for sentence when called upon, and to take out a prohibition order for two years.

ANOTHER CHANCE.

Walter Robert Manning, a returned soldier, for whom Mr. H. H. Ostler appeared, came up for sentence on three charges of forgery. The probation officer stated that prisoner was a married man, with four children. In December, 1013, his wife had left him with the children on his hands, and he had given way to drink. The total amount involved wae only £1 14/9, and the military authorities had that morning given Mr.. , Ostler the assurance that they would take the man back into the forces. His Honor characterised the case as one evidently of a sudden lapse, and that prisoner had given it up voluntarily would be taken into consideration. Prisoner would be ordered to come up for sentence when" called upon provided he embarked with the reinforcements, within four months, and made an allotment of notleae than 28/ per week towards the support of hie children.

A MEDICAL STUDENT.

A young man named Tapua Skipwith Coutts, α-liae Taipua Cootes, alias Tai Oootes, -who came up for sentence, stated that Ihe had been a medical student. He ■had spent two years at Te Aute College and two years at the Otago University. His trouble, he said, ibad been that lie gambled once. He had given most of the money he had taken to his wife. The Probation Officer stated that Captain Peacock wae quite prepared to take the prifioner into camp and give him a chance. His Honor pointed out tnat this was not the first time prisoner inaa Ibeen charged with theft. In view of the fact that Captain Peacock had guaranteed that the prisoner would be kept in custody, and that he would shortly leave the Dominion, prisoner would be remanded for sentence for one month.

TOOK TO GAMBLING.

William Laurence OSiggins pleaded "Guilty" to the theft of sums totalling £247, belonging to Messrs. A. J. Entrican and Co. He was represented by Mr. Allan Moody, who stated that prisoner had first got into trouble by lending £50 to a friend. He got short of money, and took to gambling at the races. His relations had promised to help him to make restitution of the amount, taken, and counsel suggested that prisoner might be allowed to enlist. His Honor stated that had only one offence been committed such" a course might have been ! followed, .but the thefts were spread over !» fairly wide period. A sentence of one year's imprisonment with hard labour was imposed.

FURTHER SENTENCES.

Horace Bristow, alias Horace or Henry Hope for whom Mr. J. R. Reed aiv peared, on a charge of making a false declaration respecting the Jbirth of a child, was fined £5. Alexander Philip Neil, on charges of tforgmg and uttering at Auckland, was sentenced to reformative treatment for a penod not esceediag two years. John McLelland, whose trouble had teen drmk and who was cnaracterised by the Probation Officer as a changed man smce he had left the drink alonefon - heft at Au< was sen te S*°7 m f imprisonment Ida Ellen Grant appeared on a charge •TL W el L?- nd erin & at fne Probation Officer (Mr Tpffn» \ stated that prisoner had oniy of reTa